Google Translate Adds Crimean Tatar Translation With Latin Script

Google Translate has introduced the ability to translate texts into Crimean Tatar using the Latin alphabet, expanding from the previous option of Cyrillic-based transliteration. This new feature supports efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatar people, whose language is recognized as endangered by UNESCO.

The update was highlighted by Refat Chubarov, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, in a Facebook post. He noted that users can now choose between two translation formats—Latin and Cyrillic scripts—encouraging broader engagement and usage of the tool. “Use it, learn, and help improve Google Translate,” Chubarov wrote.

Crimean Tatar, a vital part of Ukraine’s cultural fabric, has faced significant challenges under Russia’s occupation of Crimea. The occupation has limited the rights and freedoms of the indigenous Crimean Tatar community, threatening their cultural identity. Russia’s policies in Crimea, including cultural erasure and the destruction of heritage sites, continue to impact the preservation of this heritage.

The inclusion of Crimean Tatar in Google Translate follows a June 2024 announcement by Google, which added over 110 new languages to its platform. The Ukrainian government had first requested the inclusion of Crimean Tatar back in 2020, recognizing the importance of supporting the language amid growing challenges.

In parallel, other initiatives aimed at supporting the Crimean Tatar language have been launched in Ukraine. These include the introduction of Crimean Tatar language and literature courses for schoolchildren and the creation of the National Corpus of Crimean Tatar Language (NKKM), a digital repository of texts for educational and research purposes.